Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

"However, Li Yuan, Leng Ningshuang, and Ji Fanghua have already gone to the sacred land of the demon race."

He waved his hand and set up a barrier; only the two of them heard his words.

A strange light flashed in Feng Wuhen's eyes: "The sacred land of the demon race, very good. Report this matter to His Majesty immediately."

"From this moment on, the whereabouts of Li Yuan and the others are classified as top secret and must not be mentioned to anyone."

The two exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with deep sorrow.

The walls of Yumen Pass.

Feng Wuhen stood atop the city wall with his hands behind his back, gazing out at the distant Gobi Desert where faint smoke and eerie smoke rose.

Below the city gate, military orders were relayed down the ranks, banners fluttered, and countless soldiers were ready to go.

"Soldiers, reclaim lost territory, drive out the evil forces! Restore peace and tranquility to the people of our Great Tang!"

"Set off!"

Feng Wuhen's voice was infused with spiritual energy, spreading throughout the entire army, and the soldiers immediately roared in cheers.

"The Tang Dynasty is mighty!"

"His Majesty the Emperor is mighty!"

"May the Great Tang Dynasty prosper!"

Amidst thunderous shouts, the army officially set off, advancing like an iron torrent towards the border region.

The Tang Dynasty never considered withdrawing its troops; it had been sharpening its swords, waiting for this day.

Meanwhile, at the very frontier, a vanguard squad hidden in the mountains received orders to raid the demon army camp and behead the demon emperor.

They were all cultivators, the weakest of whom was at the mid-stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, and the leaders were actually two experts at the Dao Entry Realm.

"Gentlemen, in this operation, victory is the only option! If we can behead the enemy, it will be better than a million soldiers, allowing countless soldiers to return home alive."

The leader had a solemn expression.

"My men will complete this mission, even at the cost of their lives!"

The group agreed in unison and, under the cover of night, sneaked into the mountains.

In the border mountains, thousands of light cavalrymen trudged through the snow, their banners fluttering in the wind and snow, heading straight for the southern demon army camp along the small path.

They had been lying in wait in the mountains for months, and now they finally revealed their impressive prowess, plunging straight into the heart of the demon army.

For the Tang Dynasty, peace talks were merely a pretext; the real game was always played outside the negotiating table.

Soon after, the news reached Tianyao City, shaking the entire demon realm.

Zhu Yan flew into a rage in the court, roaring incessantly, "The Great Tang has gone too far in bullying me!"

"They call it peace talks, but they're just toying with us! We must send reinforcements, immediately! I will raze Yumen Pass to the ground!"

Last night, an urgent report came from the army that the southern camp had been breached by 5,000 light cavalry, resulting in a complete rout with countless casualties. The troops fled for more than 300 li and were driven out of the western border region.

Immediately afterwards, a secret report came from the central army that a Tang Dynasty cultivator had infiltrated the camp and assassinated the deputy commander, the Mirror Ruins Demon Emperor, under cover of night, causing chaos among the troops.

The Mirror Ruins Demon Emperor was Zhu Yan's confidant and staunch supporter. He was not weak in martial arts and was in the late stage of the Demon Emperor realm. If he hadn't been caught off guard, how could he have fallen into the trap so easily?

With Jingxu dead, the Tang Dynasty boldly declared war and launched a frontal attack with 200,000 iron cavalry. In just one day and night, the defensive line retreated 500 li and was still shrinking.

If this continues, within a few days, the land they have spent years conquering will be completely lost, and all their hard work will be in vain.

Many demon emperors in the court were discussing the matter, and people were restless, saying all sorts of things.

Regardless of whether one supports the war or not, when a military defeat is catastrophic, everyone is willing to add to the glory of the already successful, but no one is foolish enough to use their own people to fill the gaps.

For a moment, no one stood up to express their support, and Zhu Yan's face grew darker and darker, so gloomy that it seemed to drip water.

"Lord Mo Lin, what is your opinion on this matter?"

Many people turned their attention to him, after all, his status was comparable to Zhu Yan's, and he was well-liked.

"Lord Zhu Yan is absolutely right."

His words shocked everyone present. He, who had always advocated peace, actually agreed to the Zhu Yan Demon Emperor's proposal.

"The peace talks with the Tang Dynasty are a pretense; their true intention is to stall for time and secretly plot to seize my Demon Court. If we do not retaliate, what will become of my Demon Court's prestige?"

His righteous and forceful words immediately won the approval of many people, and even the neutral faction, which had been observing, began to waver.

Some whispered among themselves, while others were already preparing to express their support for war. The winds in the hall quickly shifted in favor of war.

Zhu Yan was overjoyed and nodded to Mo Lin from afar. Their eyes met, and they immediately understood each other.

Just then, the palace door was pushed open, and a tall, aloof figure walked in, enveloped in wind and snow.

"The Mystic Ice Demon Emperor?"

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Ever since the Demon Emperor went into seclusion, the Xuanbing Demon Emperor had retreated to the snowy mountains and had never returned to Tianyao City. Why did he suddenly come today?

He was covered in a thin layer of frost, and his long hair was still studded with snowflakes, clearly indicating that he had traveled from a very distant place.

Behind him followed the Azure Lotus Demon Saint, dressed in a green robe, his face calm, yet he was like a pillar of strength, instantly silencing the clamor in the hall.

Xuanbing glanced at the various demon emperors in the hall, his gaze lingering on Zhu Yan and Mo Lin for a moment before he spoke indifferently.

"Zhu Yan, after seven years of fighting, how many battles have you won? And how many demon soldiers and demon kings have died?"

The question raised caused the atmosphere to change abruptly. The usually indifferent Xuanbing Demon Emperor, who never paid attention to worldly affairs, became uncharacteristically aggressive.

"After fighting for so many years, you haven't made a name for yourself. And you still want to send more troops? Do you want to destroy the entire Demon Court?"

Zhu Yan's face flushed with anger. He slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Xuan Bing! You are a trusted advisor to the Demon Court, yet you are boosting the morale of others!"

Xuanbing ignored him and took out a memory bead from her bosom, holding it high in her hand.

"This was left to me by His Majesty the Demon Emperor before he went into seclusion. In any matter that the Demon Court cannot decide, my opinion shall prevail."

"No, that's impossible!"

Zhu Yan and Mo Lin exclaimed in shock at the same time. The Demon Emperor had clearly announced that the three of them were regents with their power divided among themselves. How could he possibly issue such an order?

"Don't believe me? Then please take a look."

The Azure Lotus Demon Saint chuckled, took the recording bead, and infused it with demonic power. Once the image was projected into the air, it began to play.

In the scene, the Xuan Tian Demon Emperor sat on the Heavenly Demon Palace, exuding an overwhelming aura, and issued this order to the Qing Lian Demon Saint, instructing him to safeguard the Recording Pearl.

The Xuan Tian Demon Emperor retained a portion of his imposing aura in the projection, releasing a powerful and domineering presence that caused all the demon emperors to tremble and submit.

They were all too familiar with this aura; it was something no one could fake.

"So? Is anyone still questioning the authenticity of this order?"

The Azure Lotus Demon Saint's phoenix eyes flashed, exuding an imposing aura without anger. The demon emperors immediately held their breath, none daring to utter another word.

"Maintaining peace with the Tang Dynasty and not interfering with each other is a policy left over from His Majesty's time."

Xuanbing Demon Emperor said loudly, "It's one thing for Zhu Yan to start a war for no reason, and it wouldn't matter if we won, but now that it's turned out like this, the Demon Court is in chaos."

"If we wait for His Majesty to return and find the world of demons that he has worked so hard to build destroyed, how can we face His Majesty?"

Upon hearing this, the demon kings, none of whom dared to take on this responsibility, immediately erupted in a surge of emotion, expressing their firm support for his proposal.

Zhu Yan Demon Emperor was so angry that his face turned ashen, but with the orders of Xuan Tian Demon Emperor in place, he had no choice but to submit. How could he swallow this insult?

"Even if we're going to retreat, we can't just leave without a word. Where would that leave the reputation of my Demon Court?"

"Lord Xuanbing, I think what he said makes sense, what do you think..."

Mo Lin, the Demon Emperor, also chimed in.

The Xuanbing Demon Emperor frowned and pondered for a moment before saying, "How about this, I will go and talk to Lord Feng myself. You all wait for my news."